Sr UX Researcher I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr UX Researcher I

Company: Elsevier

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: 2025-08-27

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive innovation and user-centric product development by gathering and evaluating customer use cases.

• Act as a critical liaison between user insights and the design process, ensuring user feedback directly informs product iterations.

• Contribute to strategic decision-making by sharing research findings and market insights across the organization.

• Leverage expertise in various research methodologies and tools to mentor junior team members and elevate research practices.

• Play a key role in understanding the competitive landscape and regulatory environment to ensure product alignment and market success.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher, indicating a need for independent research execution, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor junior staff within the UX research domain. The emphasis on "driving innovation" and "gathering/evaluating customer use cases" highlights the strategic contribution expected beyond tactical research execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research studies (qualitative and quantitative) to uncover user needs, pain points, and behaviors related to Elsevier's Health Markets solutions.

• Translate research findings into actionable insights and clear recommendations for UX Designers, Product Managers, and Engineering teams.

• Design and execute research plans, selecting appropriate methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, contextual inquiry) for different research questions and contexts.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to stakeholders at various levels, influencing product roadmaps and design decisions.

• Mentor and guide junior UX researchers, providing technical expertise and coaching on research best practices, analysis, and reporting.

• Collaborate closely with UX Designers to iterate on design solutions based on user feedback and testing results.

• Analyze competitor offerings and the regulatory environment to identify opportunities and ensure compliance within the Health Markets sector.

• Facilitate reflection sessions with the team to critically assess research processes and outcomes, driving continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities focus on the end-to-end UX research lifecycle, from planning and execution to analysis and stakeholder communication. The expectation to "mentor junior researchers" and "align/coach the team" suggests a leadership component to this senior role, requiring strong communication and influence skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-7+ years of professional experience in UX research, with a proven track record of conducting impactful user research studies in a product development environment.

• Experience in the Health Markets or a related information/analytics sector is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative UX research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys, card sorting, heuristic evaluations, ethnographic research).

• Proficiency in using research analysis and collaboration tools, with expert-level knowledge of key research software such as Qualtrics, Lookback, UserTesting.com, or similar platforms.

• Strong understanding of the nuances of conducting research in diverse contexts: remote, in-person, moderated, and unmoderated.

• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and compelling presentations.

• Proven ability to mentor junior researchers and guide them in technical skills and research best practices.

• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with market segmentation and in-depth analysis of sub-segment needs.

• Familiarity with competitive analysis and regulatory environments within the healthcare or information services industry.

• Experience in A/B testing and experimental design for product optimization.

• Knowledge of data visualization tools for presenting research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical experience with specific research tools and methodologies, as well as a strong understanding of the company's technical environment. The "expert level" requirement for research software indicates a need for deep functional expertise. The preference for industry-specific experience and market segmentation skills suggests a strategic depth expected from a senior researcher.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, demonstrating your ability to define research problems, select appropriate methodologies, execute studies, and deliver actionable insights.

• Case studies that highlight your process from initial research questions through to impact on product design and business outcomes.

• Evidence of your ability to mentor junior researchers, including examples of guidance provided or collaborative project leadership.

• Demonstrations of how you have effectively synthesized research findings and presented them to influence product strategy and design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, participant recruitment strategies, and key findings in a clear and organized manner.

• Experience in creating user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts that effectively communicate user insights to product teams.

• Development of frameworks for evaluating user experience and identifying areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, focusing on the end-to-end research process and the tangible impact of the researcher's work. The emphasis on mentorship and presenting findings to stakeholders suggests the portfolio should also demonstrate leadership and communication capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive, multi-carrier program for medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match and an Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP).

• Wellbeing: Access to a wellness platform with incentives, a Headspace app subscription, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death insurance, critical illness coverage, and hospital indemnity insurance.

• Family Benefits: Includes bonding and family care leaves, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.

• Spending Accounts: Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, and Commuter Spending Accounts.

• Paid Time Off: Up to two days of paid leave annually for participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and volunteering with a charity of choice.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available, but the role is primarily on-site, requiring consistent availability during business hours for collaboration and research activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to NYC and aligns with senior-level UX research roles in major metropolitan areas. The benefits package is extensive, covering health, financial security, personal wellbeing, and family support, indicating a commitment to employee welfare.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information and Analytics, focused on Science and Healthcare. Elsevier operates within a complex, data-driven ecosystem that supports researchers and healthcare professionals globally.

Company Size: Elsevier is a large, global organization, part of RELX. This scale offers opportunities for broad impact and exposure to diverse projects and teams.

Founded: Elsevier has a long publishing heritage, combining traditional information provision with modern analytics and technology. This history implies a culture that values deep domain expertise alongside innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within a team that supports critical solutions for Health Markets. This suggests close collaboration with product management, design, engineering, and potentially marketing and sales teams focused on healthcare-related products.

• The team likely operates within a matrixed structure, common in large organizations, where researchers may report to a UX Research Lead or Manager while collaborating closely with project-specific teams.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes combining quality information with data analytics to support scientific research and healthcare. This suggests a data-driven approach to decision-making and problem-solving.

• User feedback and testing are integral to the design process, indicating a commitment to iterative development informed by user insights.

• The need to understand competitors and regulatory environments points to a strategic approach that considers external factors in product development.

Company Website: https://www.elsevier.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Elsevier's position as a global information and analytics leader in science and healthcare shapes its culture. The emphasis on data, research, and supporting professionals implies a rigorous, intellectually stimulating environment. The Health Markets focus means understanding specific user needs within that domain is crucial.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Sr UX Researcher I" position, indicating a mid-to-senior level within the UX research discipline. It signifies a move beyond individual contributor roles to include mentoring and influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports into a lead UX researcher or a UX/Product Design management function. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineering teams within the Health Markets division.

Operations Impact: UX Researchers at Elsevier directly impact the usability, desirability, and effectiveness of products used by scientists and healthcare professionals. Their work influences user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the company's ability to support advancements in science and health.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or focus on particular product areas within Health Markets.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a lead researcher role, managing research projects, mentoring a team, and contributing to UX strategy at a higher level.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Exposure to product management, design leadership, or even strategic market analysis roles within Elsevier or the broader RELX organization.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to products that genuinely advance science and improve health outcomes, offering a strong sense of purpose and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr UX Researcher I" title suggests a clear career path with opportunities for increased responsibility, mentorship, and strategic influence. Growth is likely tied to demonstrating impact, deepening expertise, and building strong cross-functional relationships.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as on-site in New York, NY, suggesting a traditional office environment.

Office Location(s): 521 Fifth Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY. This central Manhattan location offers access to a vibrant business district.

Workspace Context:

• The on-site nature facilitates in-person collaboration, spontaneous discussions, and team building, which can be beneficial for complex research projects and design thinking.

• Access to company infrastructure, including meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, and potentially specialized research labs or equipment, is likely available.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected, primarily during business hours in the New York time zone. While the role is on-site, some flexibility may be offered by the team, but core hours will likely be required for effective team collaboration and research participant availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a prime New York City location suggests a professional, collaborative office setting. The emphasis on collaboration implies that team dynamics and in-person interaction are valued for driving research and product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will assess your resume and background for basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve into your experience, research philosophy, and suitability for the role and team.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you present your research work, showcasing your process, methodologies, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with UX Designers, Product Managers, and potentially other researchers or stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and technical expertise.

• Take-home Assignment or Case Study: You might be given a research challenge to complete within a set timeframe to evaluate your problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your skills, covering different methodologies and project types.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your process, the insights you generated, and the tangible impact of your research on the product and business. Use metrics where possible.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: the challenge, your approach, key findings, recommendations, and outcomes.

• Showcase Your Process: Explain why you chose specific methodologies and how you adapted them to the context. Highlight your problem-solving approach.

• Demonstrate Mentorship: If possible, include an example where you mentored a junior researcher or led a research initiative.

• Practice Your Presentation: Be concise, engaging, and ready to answer in-depth questions about your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Elsevier's products, particularly in Health Markets, and the challenges faced by their target users (researchers, healthcare professionals).

• Research Methodologies: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a given research problem, justifying your choice of methods.

• Data Synthesis: Practice synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data to derive actionable insights.

• Communication: Prepare to present your findings clearly and concisely, tailoring your message to different audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just research execution but also strategic thinking, communication, and the ability to influence product direction.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Software: Expert-level proficiency in Qualtrics, Lookback, UserTesting.com, or similar platforms for surveys, usability testing, and remote research.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for cross-functional communication and project management.

• Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to understand the design workflow and facilitate collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Experience with statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries) for quantitative data, and qualitative data analysis tools (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) for thematic analysis.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar for creating compelling research presentations.

• Dashboarding Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau or Power BI could be beneficial for visualizing research trends or user behavior data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, an understanding of how user data is managed within systems like Salesforce or similar platforms can be advantageous for context.

• Awareness of marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) might be helpful for understanding user journey touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for expert-level use of specific research software (Qualtrics, Lookback, UserTesting.com) is a key technical differentiator. Familiarity with data analysis tools and presentation software is also critical for synthesizing and communicating insights effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on research findings and analytics to inform strategy and product development.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Valuing cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking ways to enhance research processes, methodologies, and the user experience.

• Impact and Innovation: Driving meaningful advancements in science and healthcare through user-centered innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Design: Working hand-in-hand with UX Designers to translate insights into effective solutions.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactively communicating with Product Managers, Engineering, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing research findings and best practices across teams and the wider organization.

• Constructive Feedback: Willingness to give and receive feedback to improve research quality and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely fosters a strong sense of purpose, driven by Elsevier's mission. Collaboration and a data-driven, user-centric approach are expected to be core to how the team operates and makes decisions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse User Needs: Navigating the needs of different user segments within the complex Health Markets ecosystem.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring research findings are effectively integrated into product roadmaps and design iterations, sometimes against competing priorities.

• Navigating a Large Organization: Effectively communicating and influencing across various departments and levels within a global company.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Research Methods: Continuously learning and adapting to new tools and techniques in UX research.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Training: Access to internal and external training programs on specialized research methodologies, tools, and industry trends.

• Conferences and Workshops: Opportunities to attend leading UX research conferences (e.g., CHI, UXR Conference) and participate in workshops.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship from senior researchers or leaders within Elsevier/RELX.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience by working on different product lines or collaborating with teams in adjacent disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex research challenges in a critical industry, with ample avenues for professional growth through learning, mentorship, and expanding influence within a large organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex research problem you faced and how you approached it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, methodology choices, and impact.)

• "How do you prioritize research requests when faced with multiple urgent needs?" (Demonstrate your organizational and strategic prioritization skills.)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and effectively communicated to different stakeholders (e.g., designers, product managers, executives)?" (Highlight your communication and influence strategies.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior researchers? Can you provide an example?" (Showcase your leadership and knowledge-sharing capabilities.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Elsevier and the Health Markets domain?" (Research the company's mission, products, and recent news.)

• "How do you see your research contributing to Elsevier's goal of advancing science and improving health outcomes?" (Connect your work to the company's strategic objectives.)

• "Describe your experience working in an agile environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams." (Provide specific examples of your collaborative process.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly state the business problem or user need that initiated the research project.

• Detail Your Process: Explain the research questions, methodologies chosen, participant recruitment, and data collection methods. Justify your choices.

• Showcase Key Findings: Present the most impactful insights concisely. Use visuals (quotes, charts, personas) to bring them to life.

• Articulate Recommendations: Clearly state the actionable recommendations derived from your findings.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify the results of your recommendations wherever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making process for each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the research process, the ability to generate actionable insights, effective communication skills, and a clear connection to Elsevier's mission and the Health Markets domain.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Elsevier Careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant UX research experience, specific methodologies used, and any experience within the healthcare or information services industry. Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and showcases projects that align with the responsibilities outlined.

• Resume Optimization: Emphasize achievements using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and incorporate keywords from the job description such as "UX Research," "qualitative," "quantitative," "usability testing," "user interviews," "Qualtrics," "Lookback," and "mentoring."

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Elsevier, its mission, its Health Markets products, and its position in the industry. Understand the challenges faced by researchers and healthcare professionals.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your research process, and highlighting the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research challenge relevant to Elsevier's products.